Gifts of a Lifetime

Leave a Legacy to Hartford Seminary and Join the Mackenzie Heritage Society

The Mackenzie Heritage Society recognizes current and past donors of planned gifts to Hartford Seminary. To become a member, you have only to include Hartford Seminary in your estate plans. You could

Establish an estate plan, and include Hartford Seminary among the beneficiaries

Update your existing estate plan to include Hartford Seminary or

Let us know if your have already included Hartford Seminary in your estate plan, or even if you intend to do so.

Hartford Seminary welcomes your inquiries, which are all held in strict confidence, and stands ready to assist you. We also strongly advise and encourage donors to always consult with their own attorney or trusted advisor as well. For more information, please feel free to contact the Director of Institutional Advancement at (860) 509-9556 or send an email to giving@hartsem.edu.

Planned Gifts

What began in 1833 with a vision for developing leadership in ministry has evolved today into renowned center for scholarship, dialogue and research. The vision of the founders of Hartford Seminary has flourished. Their legacy is intact, in many ways because of the generosity and foresight demonstrated by those whose gifts were made as planned gifts to support the future growth of the institution.

Hartford Seminary today lives out its dedication to the concept of praxis — putting thought and belief into action in support of faithful living. The Seminary today receives support from churches and people of all denominations, and relies on the generosity of individual, corporate and foundation donors, including the estate plans of individuals, to continue to serve as a leader in theological education and research, and in advancing understanding and acceptance through interfaith dialogue.

Estate planning is important to every individual, regardless of their wealth. Planning provides the opportunity to support causes and institutions that are important to individuals and families.

The Inderstrodt Legacy

The late Jane and Bill Inderstrodt, both Hartford Seminary alumni, made provisions in their estate plans help Hartford Seminary continue its spiritual and educational traditions both now and in the future. Known to many of the Hartford Seminary family, the Inderstrodts had long and varied careers in ministry, teaching and church administration ranging from Washington D.C. to positions in Connecticut and Maine. They both continued to be very busy at the end of their lives, even helping to coordinate fundraising for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Mackenzie Heritage Society recognizes current and past donors of planned gifts to Hartford Seminary. What began in 1833 with a vision for developing leadership in ministry has evolved today into a renowned center for scholarship, research and dialogue. The vision of the founders of Hartford Seminary has flourished. Their legacy is intact, in many ways because of the generosity and foresight demonstrated by those whose gifts were made as planned gifts to support the future growth of the institution.

Your Legacy Can Support Hartford Seminary’s Vision:

Estate planning is also vital to organizations such as Hartford Seminary. Many planned gifts made to Hartford Seminary, unless otherwise restricted by the donor, provide income from the Seminary’s endowment, year after year, to support its core academic programs. These include scholarships for deserving students; research; teaching in theology, scripture and contemporary ethics; the preparation of clergy for ministry; and creating an environment in which religious differences can be discussed.

Your Bequest to Hartford Seminary:

Bequests are the most common form of planned gift. Sample language follows:

“I give (…….dollars) or (a specific asset, such as securities, real estate or other property) or (all) or (…percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, for the sole benefit of the Seminary (for its general purposes) or (for the following purpose:……………………………….).”

Types of bequests include:

An Outright Gift: You may designate a specific amount or percentage of your estate to benefit Hartford Seminary.

A Residual Gift: You may designate a share of your estate, or the entire remainder of your estate, after your loved ones are provided for. A Contingent Gift: You may designate Hartford Seminary as beneficiary in the event that your primary heirs predecease you.

Some Examples:

You may also “perpetuate” your annual gift in a bequest. For example, a bequest of $10,000, held in trust and producing income at 5%, will continue or provide a $500 annual gift, year after year.

A “memorial” bequest, made in your name or in memory of a family or loved one, ensures an enduring tribute to loved ones who value the mission of Hartford Seminary.

Other Planned Gifts:

There are also planned gifts to consider which can benefit you during your lifetime, or benefit both Hartford Seminary and your loved ones.

Charitable Gift Annuities

A Gift Annuity’s rate of return is based solely on your age at the time of the gift. Annuities may be funded with cash or appreciated securities, and provide fixed income payments for life to you and/or another person, successively. A significant portion of the income may be tax-free. You may defer income payments to a later date, such as retirement age, which may produce a substantial increase in the rate of return. Minimum gift is $1,000.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Trusts may be funded with cash, securities or real estate and income payments may be fixed or flexible. The most common type, the Unitrust, is valued annually and the donor is paid a fixed percentage of the value over the following year. Minimum gift is $50,000.

Pooled Income Fund

The Pooled Income Fund is like a mutual fund; it accepts gifts from many donors, manages them, and distributes each gift’s portion of the earnings to the designated one or two life-income beneficiaries, successively. Minimum gift is $2,000.

Life insurance

Hartford Seminary can be named as the beneficiary of your life insurance, or the policy itself can be donated to the institution. If the policy is paid up, your tax deduction will generally be the replacement cost of the policy at the time it is donated.

Retirement assets

Retirement assets may be expensive for heirs to inherit. Naming Hartford Seminary as the beneficiary of your retirement fund may provide a significant tax savings to your estate.

Charitable lead trust

This gift provides current income to Hartford Seminary during your lifetime or for a specified term of years, after which the remaining principal is returned to you or your heirs. Payments to Hartford Seminary may be fixed or variable, depending on the terms of the Trust. Minimum gift is $100,000.